Typical Swedes – The People That Prefer To Stay Calm

What is typical for Swedes?

• Foreigners see them as reserved, calm, modern, tolerant – and much of this is true.

Film director and Stockholm resident Ingmar Bergman became world famous with movies about people struggling with life and moral. Typically Swedish , according to some. But don't worry. The people in this country are not constantly depressed.

If you travel to Stockholm, you will meet very friendly and kind people. They won't become best friends right away or tell you their life story during the first meeting – be happy! – but they are helpful and willing to listen.

They do like drama, as Bergman shows, and have a strong sense of perspective. Swedes like dry humor and are big fans of English comedy.

• Sweden has a state religion and most people are officially Lutherans.But barely five percent attend church regularly.

Nevertheless, the morals of the Lutheran doctrine have shaped the Swedish mentality. The people don't like laziness. Instead, they believe you should work hard and obey authority.

• What more is typical for Swedes?

Their tolerance for other cultures is legendary. One of every nine Swedes is of foreign origin nowadays. However, there are racists too, just like in other European countries. But their actual number is lower than elsewhere.

• Swedes love nature

Not surprisingly it is typically Swedish to hike, walk, fish, hunt, ski, sail, cycle and practice every other outdoor activity you can think of.

• Swedish Honesty

You know something typically Swedish? Honesty. Don't take advantage of the Swede's trust in people. Behave like them and you will love it there.

• And what about sex?

Yes, the Scandinavian blonde is an icon. It goes back almost fifty years ago, when some of the first soft porn films were produced – indeed, in Sweden.

But - some of you might be disappointed now - the modern Swede is not obsessed with sex. He or she accepts nudity as a fact, not as a taboo, and therefore speaks frankly about it. That is unusual in other cultures, but it doesn't mean they sleep with every man or woman around.

It's just typical for Swedes not to make a fuss about anything.